Question: I am a private practitioner and have a private clinic at home where I see patients. Is it okay for me to see a girl together with her mother if my wife is out of town or is this considered Yichud?   Answer:               Although there are some Poskim who […]

Question: Must one immerse a peeler in the Mikveh?   Answer:               Yes. If it will be also used for peeling foods that are edible raw, such as an Apple or carrot and the like, then it is to be immersed with a blessing. However, if it will only be used […]

Buying and wearing new clothing: A. Buying clothing during the nine days:[1] It is forbidden to buy clothing during the nine days.[2] [This applies even to used clothing.[3]] This prohibition applies even against buying shoes [and undergarments, such as socks, undershirts and underwear[4]].[5] [This applies even if one does not […]

Question: May one answer Amen Yihei Shmei Raba for Kaddish in middle of the blessing of Yishtabach?   Answer:               No. Once one has begun the words of Baruch Ata Hashem in the conclusion of the blessing, one may no longer answer for a regular Amen. However, it is disputed amongst […]

Question: How important is it to cut my nails on every Erev Shabbos? What if I cut them just once a month when they are long?   Answer:               It is a Mitzvah to cut one’s hand nails on every Erev Shabbos. This is to be included within one’s Erev Shabbos […]

The obligation to help save someone’s life even if it involves desecrating Shabbos: A. The Mitzvah and its reason:[1] One who has a life-threatening illness it is a Mitzvah [and obligation[2]] to transgress Shabbos on his behalf [to help heal him] and those who act with alacrity [and do so […]

Question: Is there any issue with making a Siyum Misechta by a wedding?   Answer:               No, there is no issue and this is not considered to be mixing one joy with another joy. Sources: See Sheilas Rav [Rav Chaim Kanievsky] 1:8 p. 57; Keren Orah Moed Katan 8b

Not to replicate the form of hands of the Kohanim by Nesias Kapayim:[1] One is not to replicate the form of hands of the Kohanim which they make by Nesias Kapayim [with the fingers straight and facing up[2]], as doing so arouses the ten powers of the side of evil […]

Question: I am a young Bochur and need to go to a private female practitioner who works from her home for a certain medical procedure. Is it Yichud for me to go if I visit her together with my mother? She is not married.   Answer:               This matter is disputed […]

Yichud with a woman and her mother/daughter in-law:[1] It is permitted to be in Yichud with a woman and her mother/daughter in-law.[2] [This refers to her husband’s mother, her son’s wife.[3] It is permitted to be in Yichud with such a pair even at night.[4] This allowance applies even if […]